Week 32. That`s That Then.

A Short but Valuable Chapter: Reflections on My Fixed Term Contract (FTC)

My recent fixed-term contract (FTC) with a charitable organisation came to an abrupt end, slightly earlier than I had anticipated, but the experience was invaluable. The role offered me a chance to get out of the home office, meet people, and engage in practical legal work, particularly around homelessness and the exempt accommodation model. Although the contract was due to last only six months, it was a rich and rewarding period, full of learning opportunities.

The organisation itself was exceptional. Every single team member was professional, kind, and committed to the mission of helping those most in need. During my time there, I witnessed the impact of their work: supporting individuals into suitable accommodation, tackling issues like drug addiction, social inclusion, isolation, and language barriers. Even though my contract ended sooner than expected, it was for a positive reason: The charity had recently reached an agreement with the YMCA and the local council to collaborate more closely, improving support for homeless individuals under their care. Seeing such mutual respect and partnership between the state and not-for-profits was inspiring, it demonstrates exactly the kind of progress needed to tackle homelessness effectively.

On my final day, I was informed that there were no current positions available that aligned with my legal skill set. The organisation, however, kindly paid me a week’s notice as a gesture of goodwill. From start to finish, the experience has been positive. I leave with new knowledge, strengthened skills, and deep admiration for the work being done by those striving to make a real difference.

On to the next challenge, thank you to everyone who made this journey both educational and rewarding. Keep up the great work.

In a bold move, I have registered with one of the four Inns of Court, stepping toward qualification as a Barrister. This represents an alternative, or perhaps complementary, path to a PhD. Academia has always been my preference, and a PhD remains the natural progression for me, but the advocacy, practical expertise, and real-world challenges of practicing as a Barrister push me well outside my comfort zone. At the same time, this practical experience could provide invaluable insight should I later decide to pursue doctoral research. For now, I am weighing both options, or perhaps even the possibility of combining them, and the prospect of either path is genuinely exciting.

This week, my immediate focus has been on deciding the next steps for my independent learning module, touched upon last week, and, more broadly, my future career trajectory. I’ve been weighing the option of sticking closely to my current research into retail trading and finfluencers versus exploring something entirely different, such as football governance or another area that excites my curiosity. Both paths offer the same rigorous approach: critical evaluation, research, and independent thought, but they could take me in very different directions. The decisions I make now will shape my immediate learning, and perhaps even my professional identity, so it’s a balancing act between familiarity and exploration.